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Dev.to
6/28/2026
AI Agent Scratchpad: Keep Coding Agents Fast Without Polluting Git

AI Agent Scratchpad: Keep Coding Agents Fast Without Polluting Git

Short summary

AI coding agents scatter temporary files—scripts, logs, API dumps, notes—across production repos, making reviews noisy and confusing. This guide proposes a local scratchpad pattern: a `temp/` directory ignored by git (via `.git/info/exclude`) but visible to humans and agents. Structure it by purpose and document in your agent guidance so agents adopt the pattern without polluting the main source tree.

  • AI agents create scattered temporary artifacts (scripts, logs, API responses, drafts) that clutter git status and confuse code reviews
  • Use a local `.git/info/exclude` scratchpad to keep temp work visible in your editor but ignored by git without affecting teammates
  • Structure the scratchpad by purpose and document it in your agent guidance so agents adopt the pattern automatically

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